Wo bin ich? (probably completely wrong grammar)

Back in the 90's the 'Neo Tribalism' movement was something that got a lot of attention. These days it is a word I rarely hear, but one that I think is important to explore. (Neotribalism is the ideology that human beings have evolved to live in a tribal, as opposed to a modern, society, and thus cannot achieve genuine happiness until some semblance of tribal lifestyles has been re-created or re-embraced). When I first encountered the term, it was used most often to speak of the young people who were covering themselves in tattoos...people who were searching for belonging, people who had no sense of their roots trying to establish a sense of coming from somewhere. As a 'melting pot' society, most of us have lost our rituals and traditions. Many of don't even know who our great grandparents were or where they came from, and thus we don't know where we came from. I suffer this affliction myself. I have odd bits of stories here and there, but nothing I can even corroborate. Having had this need to have a sense of where I come from, today I ordered my dna kit from the National Geographic Genographic Project, ibm.com/dna for anyone interested. Like many of us, I am a mutt, but I am hoping that, general as it may be, it will give me a better sense of (back)grounding.

thoughts from Taos

I have kept very little of my work, so most people I've met down here don't know that I was actually a pretty good artist at time. Perhaps another time I will share the story, but for now just know that I pretty muchly completely stopped doing visual art after I graduated from college. I could have easily gotten into graduate school with my photos or my paintings, but at the time the only career options having a MFA would give you was to teach, and at the time I had no desire to do so, so I didn't pursue graduate school.

I often think that I should start doing art again, so I go and buy fancy pencils, nice paper, canvas etc, but I rarely do more than doodle. Because of allergy issues I've only thought of getting a darkroom in passing. Of late, I have been seeing a lot of "art" that is done with a digital camera, so I have been opening up to the idea that digital photography is a legitimate art form. With that in mind, while we were in Taos, I started thinking about composition and took a number of pictures. Composition used to be something I didn't even have to think about...that is no longer true. Anyway, I took some pictures, some of which were decent. And I hope to take more, hopefully which will eventually be more than decent.

As per request...

Ok, yes, I did indeed try on a corset at Bubonicon, but only because it matched my kilt. Don't I look butch? (shut up)

the strange things mothers say

I believe I was in 8th grade when Walter Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro for his running mate. The second that I found this out, I ran excitedly to my mother to inform her of this momentous occasion. Her reaction, a disgusted "A woman isn't capable of being president!" Now, I'm no political expert, but based on my *limited experience* I would say that the world wasn't ready for a woman in the white house in the 80's, and that is why he lost.

So here we are, 2008. When I went back to visit my mother in May, I intentionally avoided political discussions. It was her who brought up politics over mashed potatoes at the cafe. I don't care if it's Hilary or Obama, I am NOT voting for a republican after all the problems Bush has caused!" Coming from my mother who has always been a republican and a racist, I was quite bewildered and disbelieving of her comments. She also berated my sister who worships the ground that bush walks on in spite of the fact that her son, who had been honorable discharged AND already been over to Iraq, was called back to do yet another tour.

Times they are a changing.

people who inspire me...

so, on the trip we were walking to the main drag in Taos and we passed by this gallery. I wasn't really thinking much about galleries as most of them up there feature 'southwestern' art, and I have to say that I find most sw art to be quite...trite. So, I was quite amazed to have my eye caught by a gallery. The art in the window happened to be that of Kimberly Webber. I drug Chris in and we were astounded by the beauty of these works. The woman tending the gallery informed us that the artist worked with light, and she turned the lights down as she explained how the artist used multiple layers of 'earth' pigments, ie powdered gold and lapis to name a few. As the lights came down, the iridescent quality of the 'light' in the paintings popped out. It was an amazing experience, one that must be experienced first hand...which you can do here: http://www.oldworldfineartgallery.com/Webber.htm Later we learned that the gallery attendant was actually the artist. An incredible woman, and yet another person who inspires me to be more and do more. The image above may be a great tattoo to remind me of that...

i leave you with this...

as I leave for my birthday trip to Taos with my GF.

The Buddha says, "It is fine to have doubt. Do not believe in something just because people think highly of it, or because it has come from tradition, or because it is found in scriptures. Consider whether it goes against your judgment, whether it could cause harm, whether it is condemned by wise people, and above all, whether put into practice it will bring about destruction and pain. Anything that you judge to be beautiful, accords with your judgment, is appreciated by wise people, and once put into practice, will bring about joy and happiness, can be accepted and put into practice." -Thich

yes i'm a nerd, part 2

Ok, so what could be more fun than wearing your kilt, meeting Jane Linskold, and getting to pose with a Storm Trooper? Maybe having a Storm Trooper outfit. But then, the kilt wouldn't got with the Storm Trooper outfit, so I guess I had the best of it all.